Common Sense Media Review
By Emily Ashby
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Comedy's angry, vengeful messages make it iffy for kids.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 14 parent reviews
Based on 49 kid reviews
Kids say the show is a unique blend of humor and dark comedy, appealing to older children and teens, but its themes and content often make it unsuitable for younger viewers. Many appreciate its comedic take on revenge and the antics of the main character, while also raising concerns about the mixed messages it may send regarding behavior and violence.
- original comedy
- not for young kids
- dark humor
- appeals to teens
- mixed messages
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
Not-so-loveable loser Dan (voiced by Curtis Armstrong) has a bone to pick with, well, everyone. Petty grievances like a broken window or a scratch on his car send him over the edge, and he's got big plans for getting back at those responsible for his inconvenience. When the inevitable happens, he calls on his best friend, Chris (Dave Foley), who's easily persuaded to chauffeur him to his date with revenge. Often the duo are accompanied by Chris's wife, Elise (Paget Brewster), who tries to be a voice of reason -- until she's bitten by the revenge bug as well.
Is It Any Good?
Let's get this straight: This is not a cartoon for kids or tweens, and teens mature enough to not be influenced by its horrendous messages probably won't be interested in it to begin with. Were Dan a real person, there would be ample reason to question his sanity, since his bitter, antisocial behavior borders on clinical paranoia and causes him to justify violence as a means for dealing with it.
The fact that Dan resorts to punching, strangling, and verbal threats to deal with people who bother him -- all of which is played for humor throughout the show -- should be enough reason for parents to nix it as an option for impressionable teens. Dan's relationship with his best friend is perhaps the most disturbing part of all, since he subjects Chris to harsh physical, verbal, and emotional bullying. While there's no outright cursing or sex, innuendo, verbal threats, and name-calling reach a fevered pitch, giving you plenty of reasons to keep your kids away.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about bullying. What are some forms bullying can take? How does verbal bullying differ from physical bullying? Is one any less harmful than the other? Have you ever witnessed a bully in action? What did you do?
What messages does this show send about responsible behavior? Is it appropriate for teens to watch? Do you think it's likely that its content could influence viewers who have their own grievances?
What is the purpose of making this series -- which clearly is geared toward older viewers -- a cartoon? Would it be less funny in live action? Does animation allow the show's creators to take liberties that wouldn't be allowable otherwise? If so, what?
TV Details
- Premiere date : January 1, 2011
- Cast : Curtis Armstrong , Dave Foley , Paget Brewster
- Network : Discovery Family Channel
- Genre : Comedy
- TV rating :
- Last updated : September 30, 2022
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate